Jill Bevilacqua looks at this Sunday’s Gospel reading in her programme, "There’s
more in the Sunday Gospel than meets the eye” . Listen:
Gospel
Mt 5:1-12a When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after
he had sat down, his disciples came to him. He began to teach them, saying: “Blessed
are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are they
who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will
inherit the land. Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for
they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed
are the clean of heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for
they will be called children of God. Blessed are they who are persecuted for the
sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you
when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you
falsely because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in
heaven.”